Many people claim that writing is one of the loneliest professions. But how can it be? Today I spent a chill morning squelching through the wetlands in the Morris Valley near Sts’ailes, surrounded by blackbirds, tree sparrows, ducks, salamanders, water striders, and salmon fry. I chatted with biologists who were checking traps for Oregon spotted frogs. And three times, I got to meet the elusive frog itself.

The Oregon spotted frog is the most endangered frog in Canada, with only a few hundred individuals spread out over three isolated wetlands and several hundred kilometres of ditches. I have wrote about the Oregon spotted frog in my upcoming book Canada’s Endangered Animals and am now working on a magazine article for Canadian Geographic about how frogs and farmers coexist.

I joined provincial biologist Briar Hunter and Fraser Valley Conservancy conservation technician Spencer Peters during their trap check and egg mass survey at the Morris Valley wetland. It is a large open slough hemmed in by low mountains. From our vantage point under the power lines, it was a sea of gold reed canary grass, peppered with brush. Once we had trudged into the grass, it became a labyrinth of channels crossing through the marshy landscape.

The frogs were hiding in the mud at the bottom of the streams. They like to spend their time nestled in the soft silt, with only their eyes peeking out above—especially on unseasonably cold days like today. A few however did find themselves in the traps, and Hunter and Peters were able to tag and measure them.

I won’t go into much more detail about the experience, since I need to save something for the article. But it was a delight to be out, experiencing the closest thing the frogs have to a natural wetland, and see the space where many of them live their lives.

From a journalism perspective as well, today’s excursion was a rare treat. Canadian Geographic hired a photographer for this story as well, which meant I was out in the field with wildlife photographer Ray Maichin. Instead of scrambling to take photos and videos, and conduct interviews, and immerse myself in the moment, I was able to focus on what I needed. A few questions. A sense of space. The sound of the water trickling through the grass. The crackle of electrical wires mixing with the sound of birdsong. The feel of the frigid water against my fingertips. And the sight of far distant conservationists in hi-vis vests, standing in a field of gold.

Of course, old habits die hard. I did snap a few photos for my notes, and a video of an Oregon spotted frog, which I’ll share with you all below. After all, we should all spend a little more time with our friends the frogs.

You’ll be able to read my article about this handsome Oregon spotted frog (and others) in Canadian Geographic sometime after my deadline in May. And you’ll be able to read even more about them in Canada’s Endangered Animals when it’s released on May 12.